10 Sep 2017 03:33:11
It's pretty boring for MIN fans right now. We only have one thing to trade - Cole Aldrich - or more accurately, some 2018 cap space. Aldrich's deal is $7.3 mil this year, and $6.95 mil next season, but only $2 mil is guaranteed. MIN will be over the cap, and likely under the lux next season, and will probably be willing to take on 2018 salary up to $12.3 mil in a two year deal. Most likely this will be at the deadline, but I'm curious which teams are potential trade partners who want 2018 CAP SPACE?

MIN was unwilling to give up the OKC 1st to get CJ Miles, so keep that in mind. They could use a swingman.

Aldrich for Shumpert?

Aldrich for Jared Dudley?

Aldrich for Garrett Temple?

Thoughts? Other ideas?

Shrink

1.) 10 Sep 2017 14:15:08
Keep in mind that Cole is completely useless, so Minny will have to either attach another asset to him to move him or take back a wing on a multi year deal. Even with a $2M buyout, that's $2M that some team is going to spend.

How about Cole for Lance Thomas from NY? Salaries are the same this year and next, and Knicks clear some cap space next year. Thomas doesn't offer a tonne, but he is a 40% career 3PT shooter, which Minny needs.

Why for PHX? They clear cap space for next year. 2018 Free Agency looks like a place for bargains, as the free spending of 2016 and 2017 has limited the buyers. Aldrich's contract is $7.3 mil this year, and a TEAM option for $6.95 mil next year, with only $2 mil guaranteed. This saves PHX $2.7 mil this year, and $8 mil next season. Best of all, Aldrich can still play, and removes some of Len's leverage in his free agency negotiations.

Why for MIN? The addition of Jimmy Butler has made them a more win-now team, but they only have three swingmen on the roster - Butler, Wiggins, and Jamaal Crawford. Dudley not only fills a positional need, but the team also needs his three point shooting. He will be more useful than another center like Aldrich, and the Wolves have no other means to fill that gap other than the vet min. Finally, Dudley is overpaid at $10 mil this year, and next season, but MIN shouldn't mind. They won't be under the cap this year or next, and the two-year window matches when Taj, Crawford, and Jimmy's deals are all up.

PHI gets a PG who's probable upside is good back-up PG because of his size. However, last year's #24 pick is cheap, he can run an offense, and he is a clutch shooter who can create for himself. He would be an upgrade at PG over Sergio this season, that would help their great young bigs this year, so they don't waste a season of rookie development. He already knows how to play with his best friend, Okafor. He can also slip quietly in to a back-up role next year behind Simmons. MIN likes Tyus, but don't have the minutes for him.

MIN gets a couple bench bigs with upside on cheap deals. They may be more likely to see the floor than Tyus, and may make Dieng easier to trade this summer, if either starts to show something.

Shrink

1.) 21 Dec 2016 20:12:33
I don't think the sixers are interested. Those players don't help us at all. I'd give you Holmes since he doesn't play for Tyrus jones because it makes sense for both of us. Both teams giving guys who don't play for guys who should play once traded.

2.) 21 Dec 2016 20:43:50
I kind of like Holmes, but I think MIn would look elsewhere.

I can definitely understand being low on Tyus, because I used to be too. And his stats are not going to impress anyone, but personally if I ran PHI, i would install Tyus this season.

The bar is set very low with Sergio and McConnell. I would hope Tyus could do better than them if he was given consistent minutes in a consistent role. He has certainly shown he can come up big when he has that role, and the pressure is on (Las Vegas, NCAA) . Mainly, I just think he'd be acheap way to invest in the development of the quality bigs, and not waste this season with Sergio and Mcconnell.

Tyus would be an upgrade for philly. I'm just not sure he stay in the rotation past this season.

They have bayless and Simmons is supposedly going to play pg at the end of January. Not to mention this draft is almost an automatic that the sixers draft a top prospect at guard. I just don't know if jones will even be a factor for us in the long term but for the short term i'd do that deal for Holmes since he isn't playing at all regardless for the sixers. Couldn't hurt us. Helps both teams too.

MIN gambles on the upside of the 28th pick, in a position of need. He won't play for Thibs, but he could learn this year.

SAC gets a player at a position of need. The 24th pick the year before is still very young, but he's shown he can run an offense, and he's very clutch when he gets a chance (NCAA Championship, Las Vegas Summer League MVP) . With his age and contract, I think he is more valuable than any PG on the Kings going forward, plus if SAC drafts a PG next year, Tyus is an effective backup. Tyus won't get run in Minnesota.

Shrink

1.) 15 Dec 2016 08:39:20
I see tyus as the backup after Rubio eventually gets traded. Dunn has had a tougher rookie year than most anticipated, but he will come around. By next year Rubio will be in a different uniform, and thus will get run.

What have you seen from Dunn to tell you he's ready to lead a team at pg? I'm curious because he's done nothing every time I watch them. I'm a sixers fan so I was high on Dunn but watching in the NBA he looks terrible. No jump shot. no defense. and he looks confused on offense half the time. Idk. I just don't see why anyone would think he's amazing based on this first quarter of the year. Not to mention he's 22 years old already. That's older then half the sixers team. It just seems like an old guy to have so many issues.

Why for CHI? The Bulls change zero production for Noah's payroll slot into the production of Martin and Payne. Hoiberg's offense needs more three-point shooting for spacing. The Bulls also make an additional $8.2 mil when picks used to get sold for $3 mil cash! Reinsdorf was one of the last owners to let his team go into the lux.

Why for MIN? The pro-rated difference in the contracts would mean Taylor has to pay $2.7 mil more by doing this deal, but Reinsdorf is giving him $3 mil in cash! And in exchange for giving up the unneeded production this year of Martin and Payne, MIN gets a future 1st.

Shrink

1.) 22 Jan 2016 15:23:29
Interesting, and something that has been rumored.
Anything CHI can now get for Noah is bonus, and Payne, Martin are solid return.
MIN may even profit from Noahs expirience and presence, if he is willing to be part of "kindergarten teachers club". (and reassures them they are not stick with martin next year in any case)
Only suggestion, to make deal more attractive to MIN is to put in better of CHI/ SAC pick (if CHI gets it anyway, but that is the point), I'm not sure how open would they be if protection is in place.

28 Jul 2017 00:22:16
I think all these Irving trades are radically over-valueing the eventual return. When a team trades a star, they usually get 75 cents on the dollar, but Kyrie's return could be much lower because:

1. Lately win-now star returns have been even lower than 75 cents. The Warriors dominance has led to much smaller returns for Jimmy Butler, Paul George, Nerlen Noels, and Boogie Cousins.

2. Kyrie demanded a trade. This always lowers value.

3. Kyrie named four teams he wants to get traded to. If you are one of the other 25, you are probably only getting him for two years.

4. Kyrie was not happy on a championship level team. This must make GM's worried about a big offer, because he might become unhappy on yours.

5. Kyrie is a disinterested defender, he doesn't make his teammates better.

6. The PG market is extremely crowded right now.

7. He waited to announce this after teams have used most of their assets up, and made roster decisions.

8. CLE is constrained to make a deal now, since they don't want Kyrie making LeBron and his teammates uncomfortable on the first day of camp. Losing LeBron for nothing next year is more important than a smaller return for Kyrie.

9. CLE is constrained because their Dan Gilbert is far into the repeater tax.

10. CLE has an inexperienced new GM in Koby Altman. Worse, since Kyrie named four teams he wants to be traded to, Cavs teammates and free agents will watch Altman to see if he is a GM who looks out for his players' careers.

CLE GIVES: Kyrie
CLE GETS: Far less than expected

Shrink

1.) 28 Jul 2017 01:05:53
Irving is 25, signed for multiple years, is already a allstar, has proved to be one of the most clutch players in the league, is coming off the best year of his career, and the Cavs are willing to take back established talent. The Cavs will end up with a solid return.

5.) 28 Jul 2017 18:51:08
Good to see shrink back. And good to see he actually is explaining to cavs fans what they have been so keen on pointing out about Melo, PG, and all other all stars that make clear their intentions to not want to be with the team.

These proposals thinking the cavs will get something like bledsoe, jackson, bender and a pick is just hysterical.

Listen, bledsoe straight up for irving is fair. Like it or not, it is.

Possibly bledsoe has even more value. Similar stats, similar contract, exception is bledsoe plays defense.

6.) 29 Jul 2017 02:00:12
I agree for the most part. I think the timing of the trade request is what will hurt his value the most since teams are less flexible now and less likely to make a major move now that their teams are more or less set. The one thing Cavs have going in their favor is that Irving is only 25 and signed for two more years. This could potentially attract young/ rebuilding teams to go after him and make him the face of their franchise (what he is looking for) . With two years they have a year to sell him on staying then another year to actually sell him and get a little something back if it looks unlikely that he'll resign. For a team like Suns or Nuggets who have plenty of ammunition it may make sense for them to take this gamble on Irving who is one of the best offensive talents in the league (although admittedly doesn't give you much else) .

1.) 15 Jan 2016 17:45:26
Simmons (maybe its hype), Towns, KP/ Wiggins (don't know what to think about Wiggins, hopefully he becomes more P. George than D. Derozan; maybe at the moment I'd take Porzingis as safer pick for superstar)

10 Dec 2015 16:58:02
Darren Wolfson ‏@DWolfsonKSTP
By the way, heard the Nets and Lakers are two of the teams that like Shabazz. He has fans. But Milt is not moving him anytime soon. #twolves

He looks so good offensively and on the glass when he gets minutes, but lacks continuity with the team with Wiggins, LaVine, and Martin (37 PTS last night) in front of him.

Can somebody make an offer for the guy that would change the GM's mind and get him traded someplace where his career can grow? I like his effort, and I'm feeling sorry for the guy.

Shrink

1.) 11 Dec 2015 13:56:20
No one is going to make the offer you think he demands. Fact is you don't play him. You aren't going to get a prime offer because it's not taking away a necessary asset of your team. The problem is, you are so dillusional in your talent evaluation that until you get 2-3 1sts you won't think it's enough. Case in point, you barked up and down about how Martin is worth a 1st. Not based off performance. Not based off production. Based off you saying so. So until the wolves realize that everyone knows other teams values on their own assets and trades are based on that, no one will give the package dillusional fans such as yourself believe are warranted.

2.) 11 Dec 2015 19:25:51
By the ways, I also don't understand the statement that he looks so good on the glass. He is averaging 2 rebounds a game. Yes, he only plays 17 minutes a game, but last year he averaged only 22 minutes and was getting 4 rebounds a game. His performance thus far, while relatively efficient, doesn't warrant the type of package Minnesota's ownership wants. His play as a whole has been worse by far than last year. His steals, blocks, assists, rebounds are all significantly down. His turnovers and fouls are up. While it's true, he's averaging 17 minutes instead of 22, it doesn't explain why his numbers have declined to that extent.

10 Sep 2017 03:19:37
It is very hard to ever find any legitimate trade for superstars of this level. They are not only extremely productive, but they have too much value to their home team, since they are the focus of their marketing efforts.

Maybe you can find some offers once the bloom is off the rose a little, but I think all four of these guys are firmly in the "more valuable to us than you" camp, and untradeable.